Frost in the attic: why it happens and how to fix it

[@nerdfamous5794]

Roofer here. I’ve been telling clients all this info for years! Now, I’m just gonna share this video with them. Sometimes a third party experts opinion is best. Nice work!

[@robertstosky6478]

What we did when we found a lot of frost accumulate in the attic was vacuum it up using a wet/dry shop vac. Of course we didn't get all of it before it melted into the insulation, but we probably removed 90% of it, greatly reducing the damage. Next we have to figure out where our house air is leaking into the attic and seal those leaks up so there is no "next time". Thank you for your video.

[@sarge879]

No idea my home humidifier was doing this. Attic is sealed, new roof, good insulation. Installed a home humidifier and keep house at 40% and got ice when temps dropped below zero. Glad I know the cause.

[@inodoroguerrero]

Perfect timing on the video, last Thursday I had an emergency service call, water leaking from the light fixture. A long story short the can light above the kitchen island was not sealed causing frost on the insulation. Master plumber im central Wisconsin.

[@stevenlilley8045]

I appreciate your humility Here in Missouri perhaps the only solution is to go ahead and install a radon mitigation system, ‘cause to my way of seeing it, the most of the moisture is from the ground I’ve recommended and installed sealed plastic film in Subarea crawl spaces and I’m fairly certain this is not a durable solution And when there’s a need for one or more sump pump/s, I usually suggested a battery backup pump, ‘cause it’s disastrous when they fail in the middle of a blackout or storm As an aside, unless I put it in a summary right up front in a report, I’m pretty sure most of my Clients never read the whole report and never took my recommendations

[@propertysystemsinspection]

Frost in the attic = poor soffit and roof ventilation. Lack of insulation, an unsealed top deck from the living space and unsealed and uninsulated attic entrances. Also, bathroom fans not discharging directly to the exterior. In most cases there is always a combination of deficiencies that cause Frost in the attic, but most cases it's blocked or obstructed soffits.

[@beck204]

Did you even watch the video?

[@BayBoy98]

I installed a gas/forced air heater in the garage and exhaust ducted it up through the attic to the outside. Well, temps here in Wisconsin got down around zero for awhile and the ducting in the attic made ice and when it melted down onto the garage ceiling drywall it started coming down where the duct went up into the ceiling. I think the warm duct in the very cold attic is making condensation. I'm guessing I should have wrapped insulation around the duct work?

[@virgil3241]

So here is one for you, and as well, this is an attic with turtle vents and soffits all around. So pulling in air through the soffits and then out the vents, like it should. What happens in the winter when the air is cold has high humidity. The same kind that causes hoar frost outside. That same air is being pulled into your roof isnt it? Roofs dont stop venting in winter, they work the same all year round. So if that frost can stick to things outside, what stops it from sticking to things inside an attic? Ready a ton on this, and unless you have 100% air sealing below, which lets face it, who really does, many websites say you can expect some frost in your attic. But if you have some frost, isnt that what the venting is for, to dry out small things like that. Dont think water or snow comes in those turtle vents when its windy, it happens. Isnt that what the air moving in your attic is for, not not only vent for heat issue in the summer, but to also dry out small amounts of frost and/or rain when things arent 100% perfect. Im not an expert bu any means, but living in Canada, we get -35 and worse temps, and sometimes high humidty with it. But if I am wrong, then Id gladly hear an explanation.

[@RussThacher]

I live in Dilworth Minnesota. We had an issue with frost and water last winter and thought it was the roof so we paid 9k to have it completely redone and new insulation added. Here we are again in Feb 2022 and today was warm so we have it happening again but it is WAY worse. I wish I would have found this video last year. After some quick looking around, I've found areas of concern for heat leaking into the attic. Now I'm terrified at the cost we will end up with.

[@harreetteB477]

So much helpful information! Thank you!

[@KiKi-gd5th]

But you don't want to get rid of all moisture in the house. What happens when the house gets too dry? (Yes crack skin and nose breed your body can heal) But when the house get too dry, it will damage your home? Dry air can start to pull moisture from the structure of your home. As your house dries out, you’ll notice that floors, particularly hardwood floors, will begin to creak more. Dry air can also pull moisture from the wood in the frame of your home, causing walls and door jambs to shift. This can make doors hard to open and close, and cause gaps between ceilings and walls. These gaps can also form in windows that are made entirely of wood. All in all, I think we have to find a balance between the two in the winter months.

[@harreetteB477]

A dry house is better. Moisture buildup equals mildew/mold.

[@christopherloria5491]

Have an issue with my ceiling in my vaulted area, every four feet water marks. The roof is only 8 months old, tear off and replace, on a house that is only 9 years old. We are seniors and bought the house when it was only 4 years old, should not be going through this. Roof has been inspected by several companies, no leaks. I am told it looks like condensation, why now after nine years and new roof 8 months ago? Noticed the lines January 2nd, do not want to fix ceiling till problem solved. We have 12 inches of R-38 plus baffles around the edges and 14 vents on the roof, 4 of them over the problem area. At least 5 feet of space over the troubled area, the vaulted ceiling. Temp in attic on 2/10/23 at 6:30 pm 26.5 degrees with 71% relative humidity. Outside 34 degrees with 54% humidity. I tried to send pictures but could not. Please Help!

[@christopherloria5491]

No sign of water or frost in the attic either on the trusses or insulation. Chris Loria, second comment.

[@HelloWorld-hb7yt]

can I put in a dehumidifier in my attic?

[@leifharmsen]

I love your pineapples.

[@TMoua79]

So, for the house that has exhaust fan(bathroom and kitchen) into the attic...that’s bad then.

[@Brandon-no3vc]

Your attic is supposed to be just as cold as outdoors